St. Genevieve

As we approach the end of the month, I'm finding it more difficult to decide how to choose my last few featured Saints. Today, I went to the Catholic Online website and just looked at the popular Saints. I think I found a good one for you.

St. Genevieve was a peasant girl born about 422 in Nanterre, France. When she was seven, St. Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre visited her hometown on his way to Britain. The young girl stood among a crowd of people flocking around the holy man to receive his blessing when the Bishop singled her out and predicted her future of sanctity. Encouraged by Germanus, Genevieve devoted herself to a life of prayer, devotional practices and acts of penance. At the age of 15, she became a nun.

After the death of her parents, Genevieve moved to Paris to live with her grandmother. There she became admired for her piety, devotion and acts of charity. Geneviève had frequent visions of heavenly saints and angels. She reported her visions and prophecies, until her enemies conspired to drown her in a lake of fire. Bishop Germanus intervened on her behalf and their animosity was overcome.

The Bishop of Paris appointed her to oversee the welfare of the consecrated virgins. By her instruction and example she led them to a high degree of sanctity. When Attila and his army of Huns came upon Paris, the Parisian Christians were prepared to run, but Genevieve spoke to them and convinced them to stay within their homes, fast and pray to the Lord. She assured them they would have the protection of Heaven. Her prediction came true as Attila suddenly changed his path and turned away from Paris.

Genevieve died at the age of 89. Her feast day is January 3 and she is one of the Patron Saints of Paris.